Lam denies she is ‘selling out’ to Beijing as Chinese state media say protests are pushing the city ‘towards backwardness’

Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam has condemned protesters for “dangerous and life threatening acts” during a mass demonstration over a controversial bill that allows extradition to the Chinese mainland.

Lam, who is championing the proposed law’s passage, noted that some young people in the crowd had expressed their views peacefully, but said the protest had devolved into a “blatant, organised riot.”